Gibbons said the initial plan was to give $5,000 to McPhillips to help with Veterans’ Services, but with recent animosity towards police nationwide, Gibbons decided to match that donation and give money to the Pembroke Police Department.To help, Gibbons called and commissioned a golf cart to benefit those veterans in need.

By Matthew Tonismtonis@wickedlocal.com

Set off on the side of Route 53 sits Alumni Sports Grill, finished with an American flag painted proudly on the side of the building and two more flags hanging outside the front door. Sitting in front now is a gray golf cart with red, white and blue signage, notifying the town of the latest charitable efforts of the restaurant.

Patrick Gibbons, owner of Alumni Sports Grill has often used his business as a way to give back to veterans on the South Shore and nationwide, holding fundraisers for the Wounded Warriors Project and the Pembroke Military Support Group.

His latest brainchild came about after speaking to David McPhillips, his neighbor and father of the late Brian McPhillips, who was killed in combat in 2003.

McPhillips currently serves as the veterans’ agent for Pembroke Veterans’ Services, which, according to its website, “provides aid and assistance to all eligible veterans and their dependents.”

“I’ve worked with the Pembroke Military Support Group in the past,” Gibbons said. “I was talking to Mr. (David) McPhillips and he helps local veterans… with whatever they might need, so if someone needs something, he writes a check right away. So I had the golf cart built to help him out.”

Gibbons said the initial plan was to give $5,000 to McPhillips to help with Veterans’ Services, but with recent animosity towards police nationwide, Gibbons decided to match that donation and give money to the Pembroke Police Department.

To help, Gibbons called and commissioned a golf cart to benefit those veterans in need.

The golf cart, which was built by Dave Ficher of Cape Cod Golf Cars, is painted in military-style camouflage and currently sits in front of the restaurant surrounded by signage advertising the drawing.

The restaurant has been selling tickets for “about three or four weeks,” according to Gibbons. He said the fundraiser started out fast, especially when the cart and signs were placed outside the front entrance.

While Gibbons admits the goal hasn’t been achieved yet, there’s no worry yet.

“We’re not halfway there yet,” Gibbons said. “But when we do these types of things, my experience is that they come all at the end and we get there. So I’m comfortable right now.”

Gibbons sees his relationship with the town as a symbiotic one.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to have a business that’s gone well,” Gibbons said. “The community supports us because we’ve been consistent with our food. You work hard and you get rewarded by staying in the community and just helping each other out, that’s what it’s about.”

The drawing will be held August 28 and tickets can be purchased at the restaurant.